Search Site

BARCELONA, Spain —Jan 11, 2019—Catalonia’s separatist leader says the Spanish government’s bid to pass a national budget is doomed unless the wealthy northeastern region is allowed to hold a referendum on secession from the rest of the country.

The passing of a budget would boost the chances for the minority government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to see out its term until 2020. Failure would put pressure on Sanchez to call early elections for the eurozone’s fourth largest economy.